Psyche Inspired
Learn more about the Psyche Inspired program and view other works
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Psyche Inspired: John Domenico
John Domenico (Photo Credit: Abigail Weibel)
Institution: Arizona State University
Major: Ceramics/Materials Science (double major)
Psyche Inspired Class: 2017-2018
Crater
John Domenico
Major: ceramics/materials science (double major)
Genre/Medium: stoneware
About the work: Given that Psyche is believed to be primarily metallic, I am intrigued by what kind of deformation the surface would undergo when impacted by other objects in space. This piece for me explores what plastic deformation looks like in the context of a crater. To do this I constructed the form of the jar and then covered it in slip (a liquid clay), a very plastic material, and proceeded to impact the surface with various sized objects to create a crater like surface. Dimensions: 23″ x 16″.
Impact
John Domenico
Major: ceramics/materials science (double major)
Genre/Medium: ceramic tiles
About the work: Inspired by the hypothesis that Psyche could be the core of a planetary body that went through a massive collision, this pair of wall hanging slaps captures the tension in the moment immediately before impact of bodies in space.
Psyche’s Journey to a Metal World
Caralie Cedarleaf (Text), Jeremy Seidner & Chris Vasquez (Illustrations), & John Domenico (Story Concept)
Majors: sculpture (Caralie); computer science (Jeremy); drawing (Chris); ceramics/materials science (John)
Genre/Medium: creative writing and digital illustration
About the work: This children’s coloring book tells the story of Psyche’s journey. Read the book online or download and print the full book to color the pages yourself:
Psyche’s Journey to a Metal World
(PDF: Regular – 3MB / Large – 39MB)
Iron
John Domenico
Major: ceramics/materials science (double major)
Genre/Medium: stoneware
About the work: I find it intriguing to think about how the element iron exists in space compared to its presence on Earth. Iron on Earth, in the presence of oxygen, naturally oxidizes. These oxide states of iron have a vast array of color possibilities ranging from red to brown to yellow to black. The exterior of this piece reflects on the spectrum of color we are familiar with in reference to iron. The form then adds a layer of curiosity in that, as a lidded vessel, there is an interior surface that is hidden from the viewer. This introduces the kind of unknown that I associate with Psyche. What will be the state of the iron on Psyche be?
Psyche in Orbit
John Domenico
Major: ceramics/materials science (double major)
Genre/Medium: stoneware, iron thermite glaze
About the work: As a double major in Materials Science & Engineering and Ceramic Fine Arts I am especially interested in the underlying composition of things. Given that Psyche (the asteroid) is believed to be primarily iron and nickel, I felt that I had a unique opportunity to explore a glaze that utilizes the thermite reaction to create a surface that is primarily raw iron. The texture on this platter is a product of the thermite reaction and is an interpretation of an iron body in space. On the black, space-like rim, the colors of the Psyche mission stand out to allude to the Psyche (spacecraft) in orbit. This is all contained on a large piece of fired clay—which, in a way, “brings it back to Earth.” As a fun fact, the viewer will notice an orange/red blushing on the platter. This is because, unlike in space, on Earth metals oxidize rather quickly. Thus, the orange/red tint is the raw iron on the surface of the platter oxidizing. Over time there will be more of the color as the iron continues to oxidize. Dimensions: 25″ x 25″ x 3.5″.
